Safeguarding Adults Week: Preventing Harm Before It Happens

It starts with a safe culture.  A club with a culture where everyone feels valued and heard is bound to  ensure that their participants feel safe within the club and can share any concerns should they choose to. Everyone has the right to enjoy their chosen sport or physical activity. 

Unsafe or toxic cultures can be so destructive mentally and physically for participants  and can lead to people leaving.  It is important that clubs create environments where everyone feels confident that their concerns are listened to and addressed appropriately. 

We all know the phrase prevention is better than cure and this is never more true than in safeguarding.  Those who experience abuse and/or neglect can experience lifelong consequences and the impact can be devastating . 

For adults who are at risk of abuse and harm the duty is clear and adult social care are always available to speak to for support but what about those adults who don’t fit into that category?  If you are worried about someone it is ok to ask and ask again if need be .  I know I am guilty of saying I am fine when I am not .  A good chat with someone can be such a great support or we are lucky to have some great support services here in Cumbria that you can tell people about should you need to.